Midges: Small Bugs That Catch Big Fish
Midges are tiny insects that make up a huge portion of a trout’s diet, especially in winter and on tailwaters.
What Are Midges?
Chironomids (true midges):
- Two-winged flies (not mosquitoes)
- Most abundant aquatic insect
- Size 18-28 (tiny!)
- Year-round food source
- Critical in winter
Importance:
- Available 365 days a year
- Hatch in large numbers
- Trout feed on them selectively
- Only reliable hatch in winter
- Especially important on tailwaters
Life Cycle
Complete Metamorphosis
Midges undergo complete metamorphosis:
- Egg → 2. Larva → 3. Pupa → 4. Adult
Year-Round Activity
- Multiple generations per year
- Continuous hatches
- Some species every 4-6 weeks
- Different sizes/colors throughout year
Stage 1: Egg
Duration: Days to weeks
Deposition:
- Females lay egg masses on water
- Gelatinous egg strings
- Sink to bottom
- Hatch in days to weeks
Stage 2: Larva
Duration: Weeks to months
Description:
- Worm-like, segmented body
- Red color (hemoglobin) = “blood midge”
- Live in mud and vegetation
- Some build tubes, others free-living
- Most of life cycle spent here
Types:
- Red midge larvae: Common, distinctive color
- Green midge larvae: Less common
- Black midge larvae: Very common
Fishing the larva:
- Blood midge: Red serendipity, zebra midge red
- Zebra midge: Black/white, most popular
- Brassy: Brassie, copper midge
- Sizes 18-24
- Dead drift deep
- Often fished as dropper
Stage 3: Pupa
Duration: Days
The pupal stage:
- Transformation to adult
- Pupa becomes active
- Migrates from bottom to surface
- Highly visible to trout
- Critical fishing stage
Emergence behavior:
- Hang vertically in water column
- Rise toward surface
- Gas bubbles cause reflective sheen
- Some species emerge quickly
- Others struggle at surface (hang time)
Pupa characteristics:
- Segmented, slender body
- White or prominent wing pads
- Sometimes gas bubbles visible
- Often brightly colored
Fishing the pupa:
- Most important stage for anglers
- Trout key on emerging pupae
- Patterns:
- Zebra Midge (black, red, green)
- Miracle Nymph
- Serendipity
- Thread midges
- Sizes 18-24
- Fish under indicator or straight-line nymphing
- Dead drift or very slight movement
Stage 4: Adult
Duration: Days (short)
Description:
- Tiny, mosquito-like appearance
- Hold wings upright over back
- Form mating swarms
- Don’t feed (mouthparts reduced)
- Live only to reproduce
Mating:
- Swarm over water or shore
- Mating in flight
- Females return to water to lay eggs
- Die after egg-laying
Adult fishing:
- Cluster patterns effective
- Griffith’s Gnat (size 18-22)
- Midge clusters (size 16-20)
- Single midge patterns (size 20-26)
- CDC midges
- Difficult to see on water
Seasonal Patterns
Winter
Primary importance:
- Main aquatic activity
- Reliable hatches
- Mid-day hatches (10-3)
- Sizes 20-28
- Black, red, gray
Patterns:
- Zebra Midge: Black/red, sizes 20-24
- Griffith’s Gnat: Sizes 20-24
- Blood midge: Red, sizes 20-22
- Miracle Nymph: Sizes 20-24
Spring
Continued importance:
- Still hatching consistently
- Size range expands (18-24)
- Black, olive, cream colors
- Mix with mayfly hatches
Summer
Morning activity:
- Dawn midge hatches
- Size 20-26
- Often overlooked for larger insects
- Fish focus on them in calm conditions
Evening activity:
- Spinner falls
- Midge clusters
- Rising fish in calm water
Fall
Consistent hatches:
- Continue through fall
- Sizes 18-22
- Especially important on tailwaters
- Mix with BWO hatches
Midges on Different Water Types
Spring Creeks
- Critical importance
- Huge midge populations
- Fish can be very selective
- Small sizes (22-28)
- Precise imitations needed
Tailwaters
- Most important insect
- Year-round hatches
- Consistent temperatures = consistent hatches
- Size range 18-24
- Local knowledge helpful
Freestone Streams
- Still important but less so
- Mix with other insects
- Spring/fall prominence
- Winter重要性
Stillwaters
- Very important
- Chironomid hatches massive
- Fish feed selectively
- Suspended under indicator
- Vary depth systematically
Midge Fishing Techniques
Indicator Nymphing
Setup:
- Small indicator (yarn, palsa)
- Long leader (12-15 feet)
- Two-fly rig (heavy attractor + midge)
- 6X or 7X tippet
Fishing:
- Cast to rising fish or likely water
- Dead drift
- Watch for subtle indicator movement
- Set on any pause or movement
- Depth control is key
Straight-Line Nymphing
Technique:
- No indicator
- Direct connection to flies
- Detect subtle takes
- More control
- Requires practice
Use when:
- Fishing to specific rising fish
- Very small flies
- Deep water
- Clear water
Dry-Dropper
Setup:
- Dry fly (attractor or midge cluster) on top
- Midge pupa 12-18 inches below
- Covers both stages
When to use:
- Fish rising intermittently
- Unsure if fish taking dries or nymphs
- Excellent searching technique
Dry Fly Fishing
Single midge:
- CDC midge, size 20-26
- Griffith’s Gnat
- Very challenging visibility
- Use large dry as indicator
Midge cluster:
- Griffith’s Gnat larger sizes (16-18)
- Cluster patterns
- More visible
- Fish eat during mating swarms
Reading Midging Fish
Rise Forms
Subtle dimples:
- Barely break surface
- Sipping adults or pupae
- Very small flies (20-26)
- Difficult fishing
Porpoising:
- Taking pupa just below surface
- Try emerger or shallow pupa
- Fish in surface film
Head and tail rises:
- Taking pupa in surface film
- Hang time at surface
- Try soft hackle or emerger
Where to Find Fish
Calm water:
- Midges hatch in slack water
- Pool tails, eddies
- Backwaters
- Lake edges
Slow runs:
- Concentrate food
- Fish hold in softer water
- Feeding lanes
The Essential Midge Box
Pupae:
- Zebra Midge: Black, red, olive, sizes 18-24
- Miracle Nymph: Sizes 18-22
- Serendipity: Sizes 18-22
- Thread Midge: Black, olive, cream, sizes 20-26
Larvae:
- Blood Midge: Red, sizes 18-22
- Brassie: Sizes 18-22
- Copper John (small): Sizes 18-20
Adults:
- Griffith’s Gnat: Sizes 18-22
- Midge Cluster: Sizes 16-20
- CDC Midge: Sizes 20-26
- Sprout Midge: Sizes 20-26
Midging Tips
Small Flies, Small Tippet
- 6X or 7X tippet usually necessary
- Light wire hooks
- Longer leaders (12-15 feet)
- Delicate presentations
Patience is Key
- Midge fishing requires patience
- Fish one spot thoroughly
- Systematic coverage
- Don’t move too quickly
Depth Control
- Vary depth until you find fish
- Count down your flies
- Use split shot appropriately
- Depth is often more important than pattern
Observation
- Watch rising fish carefully
- Note rise form
- Catch a midge if you can
- Size and color matter
The Winter Midge Game
Winter midge fishing is special:
- Few anglers on the water
- Solitude
- Rising fish despite cold
- Technical fishing
- Rewarding challenges
Winter Strategy
- Sleep in: Fish 10 AM - 3 PM
- Find slow, deep water
- Start with pupa in sizes 20-22
- Fish under indicator
- Be patient
- Enjoy the solitude
Why Midges Matter
Midges are the most consistent aquatic insect:
- Year-round availability
- Reliable hatches
- Trout key on them
- Can produce large fish
- Essential knowledge
Many anglers overlook midges because they’re small and challenging. But those who master midge fishing catch more fish and catch fish when others can’t.
The next time you’re on the water and not catching fish, tie on a midge. You might be surprised at the results.
Small flies, big fish. That’s the midge game.